President Donald Trump reportedly pledged to advance marijuana rescheduling “soon” during a private meeting with House Republicans last week, even as other GOP lawmakers launch an investigation into how the previous administration handled the process.
“We’ll be moving forward soon with rescheduling marijuana,” Trump told two House members during the closed-door meeting, according to a congressional staffer present. The comment is Trump’s first known statement this year on federal marijuana rescheduling.
The president’s support comes as other Republicans escalate criticism of the rescheduling process. The House Appropriations Committee is calling for an investigation into the previous administration’s recommendation, citing what it calls “deviations” from a prior review process and “mental health hazards” of cannabis use.
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Read: Trump’s Pro-Marijuana Campaign Promises Fade as Rescheduling Stalls
The Drug Enforcement Administration was scheduled to begin formal hearings on January 21 regarding the proposed rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. However, those proceedings have been postponed pending resolution of an appeal.
The former Biden administration initiated the rescheduling process in April 2024, following a Health and Human Services recommendation that marijuana has accepted medical uses and lower abuse potential than other Schedule I substances.
Trump’s comments suggest the new administration will continue pursuing the policy despite inheriting it from his predecessor. The Senate is expected to confirm Terrence Cole as DEA Administrator, who indicated during confirmation discussions that rescheduling would be a top priority.
Read: DEA Nominee Views Cannabis Reclassification as Priority, Stops Short of Guarantee
If finalized, rescheduling would provide significant tax relief to state-legal cannabis businesses and ease research restrictions, though marijuana would remain federally regulated.
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